KEY HOUSING CONDITIONS THAT DIMINISH HEALTHY HOMES AMONG ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES IN ROYAL BELUM PARK MALAYSIA

Abstract

Research on healthy homes has been carried out relatively little in Malaysia. The aim of this paper is to establish the relationship between key architectural elements of Aboriginal homes in Sungai Kejar, the Royal Belum State Park, and their potential health risks. The data were drawn through naturalistic observation, unstructured interviews and semi-structured interviews. Despite their green features, many Aboriginal homes lack water-tight measures, sanitation facilities and proper flooring - making the people more susceptible to diseases like Leptospirosis and Malaria. Due to their nomadic lifestyle, the people construct temporary homes using green materials like bamboo and leaves. The government-provided wooden and brick houses did not meet most of their preferences primarily due to their lifestyle, culture and belief system. These underlying issues necessitate a thorough evaluation and research to propose optimal construction methods that meet the bare minimum criteria for healthy homes while also accommodating their lifestyle and preserving cultural heritage. This could include introducing brick flooring, portable rainwater harvesting for clean water supply and healthy homes awareness campaigns.